Macworld reports that Apple has quietly rolled out "iTunes Preview", a Web-based listing of iTunes Store content that allows users to browse the store's offerings without the need for an iTunes installed on their devices. While iTunes is still required for listening to song samples and purchasing content, the move to Web-based listings provides a convenient means for users to share links to iTunes content with others without depending on iTunes for viewing purposes.

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Apple has quietly launched iTunes Preview, a feature that shows what music is available on iTunes from the convenience of your Web browser. Yes, even Internet Explorer 6. iTunes Preview lets anyone browse through the entire iTunes catalog’s worth of music, info, and user reviews for any region.

The report notes that the feature is currently available only for music content, and it is unclear if or when it will be extended to additional iTunes Store offerings.

Apple is currently offering access to the iTunes Preview in several locations on its iTunes pages, including a feature near the bottom of its "What's On" page and through its "iTunes Charts" page. Links copied directly from the iTunes Store will also reportedly generate corresponding iTunes Preview pages on systems where iTunes is not installed.

This is interesting and an unexpected move on Apple's part. However, this is largely a good thing for Apple, as it expands accessibility - regardless of whether iTunes is installed or not. I like this.

I'd much rather be able to bookmark things in iTunes itself - many's the time I've listened to something and decided to buy it later only to totally forget the name of the thing I listened to and never get round to finding it again.

I'd still like to see this become a first class citizen: an entirely browsable store with content that can be previewed and purchased straight from the browser. The purchasing is slightly less convenient as other web stores, due to the fact that iTunes is the hub between content and devices, but it'd still be nice regardless. Especially for those who don't happen to use an iPod/iPhone, but whose player can still play m4a content.

I'd still like to see this become a first class citizen: an entirely browsable store with content that can be previewed and purchased straight from the browser. The purchasing is slightly less convenient as other web stores, due to the fact that iTunes is the hub between content and devices, but it'd still be nice regardless. Especially for those who don't happen to use an iPod/iPhone, but whose player can still play m4a content.

I don't see that happening. How then, will iTunes manage your content if you're able to control the location of the file saved?

I'd much rather be able to bookmark things in iTunes itself - many's the time I've listened to something and decided to buy it later only to totally forget the name of the thing I listened to and never get round to finding it again.

Create a playlist, then drag the songs you want to that playlist, it will maintain a link to the store for you.

I don't see that happening. How then, will iTunes manage your content if you're able to control the location of the file saved?

The point is for those who want to access iTunes' large library, which may have titles that are not accessible elsewhere. The entire point is shifting focus from the application/device to the content.

Of course, I didn't say replace the application's built-in store browser; I simply said augment the current store to also accommodate web browsers. There are people who loathe iTunes and many have justifiable reasons. To require an almost 80-90 megabyte download simply to access a store seems to be slightly ridiculous.

Likewise, whether or not it'll actually happen, yes, I'm quite confident that you're right. Apple choose to focus on the experience, and until that fails, I don't see it changing much. Thus why I said, "I'd like to see..."

I actually ran across this last night by accident after clicking on my iTunes link on my website promoting my album. It is neat discovering these little things prior to them being released. I thought something looked a bit weird at first because it usually just opened up iTunes on my computer, so the preview is pretty cool...I like it.

You can see what's available but you can't purchase it? I guess I miss the point.

if this means fewer, incredibly annoying phobos links in blogs etc then it'll be worth it. I hate clicking on a link expecting to be taken to another web page to find more information, and it launches damn itunes all the time.

if this means fewer, incredibly annoying phobos links in blogs etc then it'll be worth it. I hate clicking on a link expecting to be taken to another web page to find more information, and it launches damn itunes all the time.

Umm...did you happen to notice that literally everything you click on this iTunes web page removes you from the browser and opens itunes?

Well like Rocketman said, hopefully there's an immediate option to download iTunes. Otherwise it's too complicated for most people.

Yea, as long as there are no intermediary steps and Apple can make it as seamless as possible.

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Originally Posted by e-coli

iTunes needs to be cloud-based.

Or do that too

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Originally Posted by Lixivial

The point is for those who want to access iTunes' large library, which may have titles that are not accessible elsewhere. The entire point is shifting focus from the application/device to the content.

Of course, I didn't say replace the application's built-in store browser; I simply said augment the current store to also accommodate web browsers. There are people who loathe iTunes and many have justifiable reasons. To require an almost 80-90 megabyte download simply to access a store seems to be slightly ridiculous.

Likewise, whether or not it'll actually happen, yes, I'm quite confident that you're right. Apple choose to focus on the experience, and until that fails, I don't see it changing much. Thus why I said, "I'd like to see..."

Damn, is iTunes really that large? I never paid attention when downloading

Maybe in the immediate future, iTunes will persevere as the app that it is today, but you have a point, about bringing the store to the masses, and theres no way better to do that than making it web based. So I guess we can only just wait and see.

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Originally Posted by Lixivial

Zune? Zen? PSP? Pre? Droid?

Ha, sorry I did not know. But I had always thought Zune, of all devices, being MS, would NOT support AAC files. Cool though.

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Originally Posted by Bubba Satori

That wasn't too difficult, was it ?

Good move by Apple.

Yea, I think so too. It definitely gives Apple another means to market.